5-year-old killed when car rolls down driveway in Paradise

PARADISE -- A young girl played in her driveway on a gray Tuesday morning, and a car that was accidentally shifted out of gear rolled into her.

Responders called out an airlift for medical aid, but dispatchers canceled the helicopter's mission once they reached the site.

Gracie Carmack died shortly before 10 a.m. She was 5 years old.

Paradise police at the scene blocked media access to the home on Seneca Drive. The pain they felt showed clearly enough, and their first request was that members of the family not have their pictures taken.

"There's not much to say, really," Lt. Steve Rowe later said. "Not much you can say to help the family."

The police recognized the full tragedy after a little time passed.

The car slipped out of gear because a 10-year-old child was innocently playing in it, according to the department's investigation.

Rowe said while he is not an investigator in the case, those who are indicated the child was not left in the car by parents as some have reported.

Rowe did not release the name of the child playing in the car, saying the child was clearly distraught.

"There is every indication this was a tragic accident and the members of the Paradise Police Department send our heartfelt condolences to the family members of the victim," Rowe said in a press release.

The final police vehicle left Seneca Drive at about 2:30 p.m. Family members stood outside but declined to comment.

Authorities will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death, but beyond that, the department plans to leave Gracie's death as an accident.